Slum demolition clears way for Vikas Marg makeover

CHANDIGARH: With razing of the leftover slum colonies along Vikas Marg on Saturday, the administration has taken a step towards developing the stretch as the key artery of the city, in some ways better than Madhya Marg. In November 2013, the administration had demolished Colony Number 5, the biggest slum in the city.

With international airport at one end and proposed wholesale vegetable and fruit market at the other (Sector 38 West), the key artery running parallel to Madhya Marg and Dakshin Marg, Vikas Marg will shift much of the commercial activity and traffic movement to the south of the city.

While the administration got 35 acres of prime land vacated on Saturday, it had around 50 acres encumbrances free after pulling down structures in Colony No. 5.

Among other projects, Vikas Marg will have a pedestrian plaza like the one in Sector 17. "The pedestrian promenade will be created along the stretch which will be activated with open-to-sky auditoriums, kiosks, fast food courts, informal shopping and cultural activity which seamlessly flow into a leisure valley," reads the plan prepared by UT urban planning department.

Vikas Marg has already being widened by adding more lanes to accommodate inter-state heavy traffic headed for Ludhiana and Manali. The new Inter-State bus Terminus (ISBT) is also located on this stretch.